Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Two months had passed since the "Pokémon World Master Tournament."

But the Master Tournament's popularity remained undiminished, with people still discussing some of the exciting matches from the tournament, including the scene where Teacher Johan decisively shut out Mr. Giovanni and claimed victory.

However, besides discussing the Master Tournament, events near Poni Canyon on Poni Island in the Alola region were also being brought up for discussion.

There was no helping it.

After all, Johan and the others hadn't made any effort to conceal what happened, and the commotion they caused was truly enormous. Even though Poni Canyon was rarely approached by people, it wasn't completely deserted either.

Moreover—

With such a huge disturbance erupting in Poni Canyon, the Island Queen couldn't possibly have felt nothing.

Plus, with so many legendary Pokémon gathered together...

Someone had indeed filmed the scene near the Altar of the Sunne from a great distance.

However, due to the extreme distance, the footage was quite blurry. Besides some of the larger legendary Pokémon being recognizable, only people like Teacher Johan, Cynthia, Lance, and Steven could barely be made out.

But no one knew who it was that battled Teacher Johan.

Yet the scale of the battle and the intensity of the combat left everyone speechless, wondering who could have fought Teacher Johan.

Despite that person's incredible strength, they hadn't participated in the Master Tournament?

So some people speculated—

Perhaps it was some mysterious force hidden in the depths of this world, truly top-tier legendary trainers of the Pokémon world, and only those who won the Master Tournament were qualified to challenge them.

Naturally, this kind of "conspiracy theory" gained considerable approval.

"Teacher Johan won in the end, right?"

"He won! And despite calling over so many legendary Pokémon, he didn't send any legendary Pokémon into battle. Teacher Johan is undoubtedly a true battle legend!"

"World's number one!"

"Speaking of which... is there any chance this was photoshopped?"

"You know, videos can't be faked (dog head)..."

Naturally, those in the know like Johan wouldn't come forward to explain anything about these discussions.

Honestly, there was no way to explain it either—could they tell people it was the top-tier trainer from another Pokémon world?

Others would think Teacher Johan was joking.

However, the League headquarters and high-ranking officials of various leagues did know something about these matters.

Fortunately, it wasn't anything bad, and it ended perfectly, so they didn't investigate further.

Additionally—

The announcement that Teacher Johan had resigned from his position as Hoenn League Champion and succeeded to Hoenn League President also generated considerable buzz for a period of time.

The Hoenn League Champion position was succeeded by Johan's student, Mr. Steven.

Steven's strength didn't raise much doubt.

After all, Steven was one of the "Eight Masters," having made it to the Master Tournament quarterfinals—such strength was completely qualified to become a league champion.

As for Teacher Johan's age taking on the league president role...

Professor Kukui from the Alola region and Leon from the Galar region were both league presidents and doing quite well, with Leon being considerably younger than Teacher Johan.

As the entire League began "getting younger," having the younger generation take over as league presidents wasn't something hard to accept.

The most discussed topic was...

Teacher Johan chose to retire at his peak, only for Hoenn League Champion Steven and all four Elite Four to "slack off" together, forcing Teacher Johan to take over the league president position.

Regarding this, fans who had gained some understanding of Teacher Johan's personality were endlessly "mocking" him online.

And Johan's response to this kind of "mocking" was naturally...

To have Gengar and Rotom register them one by one, and when there was time, have Gengar bring Porygon2 and Rotom to visit them for a chat.

However, while all the above topics were popular, they weren't the most popular.

The most popular was...

Teacher Johan successfully proposed to Miss Cynthia!

Just two or three days ago—

On Teacher Johan's island in Hoenn, witnessed by numerous legendary Pokémon, Teacher Johan successfully proposed to Sinnoh Champion Cynthia!

Reportedly—

This day was exactly one year since the two first met.

They had known each other for over a year, but their first meeting was exactly one year ago, and they had been dating for about eight or nine months.

This news directly set the entire internet ablaze.

Although everyone had long known that Teacher Johan and Miss Cynthia were dating...

Dating was one thing, accepting a proposal was another.

Countless otaku who considered Cynthia their goddess had their hearts broken.

"I have to say Teacher Johan still has a sense of ceremony, though not much."

"It's well known that I was against this marriage at first, but as a Hoenn person, I just want to say—Miss Cynthia, the Hoenn region welcomes you!!"

"Hmph, Hoenn? I just want to say—Teacher Johan, the Sinnoh League president is also about to retire. When the time comes, you and Miss Cynthia together... the Sinnoh region welcomes you!"

"Waaah, my cabbage, my little cabbage..."

"I won't say anything more—you must invite me to your wedding! —Flint"

"..."

While the internet was hotly discussing this, what were the protagonists Teacher Johan and Miss Cynthia doing?

"Serperior, Leaf Storm!"

"Sni!"

Serperior, with eyes closed, had vine-like patterns flowing across its body. The lush forests on the island seemed to respond to its call, rustling softly.

Then its eyes suddenly opened, its tail sweeping up masses of leaves toward the opponent.

"Lucario, Extreme Speed to dodge, Close Combat!"

Cynthia on the opposite side gracefully placed her hand on her waist and called out coolly.

"Luca!"

Lucario flashed forward wrapped in white light, brushing past Serperior's Leaf Storm to strike suddenly.

Just then—

Johan suddenly shouted: "Now, Serperior!"

"Sni!"

A fluorescent flash appeared in Serperior's light green eyes, and the Leaf Storm it had swept up suddenly exploded with a "bang," transforming into countless leaves that swept toward the just-dodging Lucario.

Seeing this, Cynthia raised an eyebrow with a look of surprise.

But still reacting quickly, she immediately said:

"Lucario, Bone Rush!"

Azure aura transformed into bone clubs that spun in Lucario's hands, blocking all the leaves.

"Phew—"

Johan exhaled lightly.

"Should we call it here for today?"

Cynthia paused slightly, pondered briefly, then nodded: "Mm."

Johan's face showed a smile, but his heart was bitter.

After other people got engaged, it was all lovey-dovey stuff, but when it came to him... it was battles, discussing tactics, discussing archaeology and historical documents?

His heart was suffering...

Sweet to the point of bitterness.

"Serperior is progressing very quickly."

Naturally, Cynthia didn't know what Johan was thinking. She just recalled how fast Serperior's progress had been since the Master Tournament.

Serperior now had reached at least main Champion-level strength or above, right?

Hearing this, Johan smiled slightly, took Cynthia's hand, and pointed to the lush Miracle Berry Tree by the central pond of the island.

The Miracle Berry Tree, which had only been as tall as a person not long ago, now exceeded fifteen meters in height, becoming the tallest tree on the island.

And Serperior, closely connected to it, naturally gained considerable benefits too.

More precisely, both the berry tree and Serperior had substantial gains.

"That berry tree doesn't produce many fruits." Cynthia said softly.

Not many?

Johan glanced at the eight berries on the tree.

This was considered few?

It was just that Cynthia hadn't seen the effects of the berries this tree produced, or she definitely wouldn't think it was few.

The Miracle Berry Tree naturally produced Miracle Berries, the main ingredient for making "Rare Candy"!

So far, in the entire Pokémon world, aside from the one in the Crown Tundra, this might be the only one in the world.

Producing eight berries on its first fruiting—Johan thought that was too many.

It was probably Calyrex's power combined with Serperior's power that allowed it to produce so many berries.

Or rather, Serperior's gains from the "sacred tree" where the Zarude tribe lived, when fed back to the Miracle Berry Tree, allowed it to produce so many on its first fruiting.

Eight Miracle Berries—if this were a game, that would be eight levels!

Looking at Johan's current Pokémon's levels, gaining eight levels... they'd probably be nearly maxed out.

Although Pokémon strength couldn't be completely quantified by game levels, if they continued eating at this fruiting rate for a few years...

Johan wanted to ask—who could compete?

"I'll make some for you to try when they ripen." Johan chose to maintain the mystery, planning to surprise Cynthia later.

Hearing this, Cynthia smiled sweetly.

"Let's go back. If we don't return soon, there'll be another big incident."

"Mm."

"Hoopa!" Johan called back.

"Hoopa's here~~"

Hoopa, who had been vacationing in Hoenn during this time, immediately threw out a golden ring.

"Hoopa, lalala~"

The golden ring expanded, and after Johan, Cynthia, and all the little ones passed through, they arrived at the café in Kanaz City.

With Hoopa around, not only was traveling between the island and café convenient, but Cynthia's trips to and from Sinnoh were equally easy.

As for the spatial tunnel that Palkia helped construct...

Johan had paid a huge price to get Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza to temporarily accept Palkia entering Hoenn to "work."

So the spatial tunnel had just begun construction and would take considerable time to complete.

Hoenn Region, Kanaz City

Clear skies, not a cloud in sight.

"Mewtwo, back already?"

Just stepping out of Hoopa's golden ring, he saw Mewtwo wearing a cool hoodie with the hood up, carrying a shopping basket back.

Hearing this, Mewtwo glanced at him and nodded slightly.

[Yes.]

Hm?

Mewtwo's reaction made Johan pause slightly.

This was...

Cynthia also sensed Mewtwo's state, released Johan's hand, and said softly:

"Go take a look."

"Mm."

Johan followed Mewtwo into the kitchen.

Mewtwo, who had removed its hood and was processing vegetables, wasn't surprised to see Johan enter and showed little reaction.

Johan didn't immediately ask questions, just rolled up his sleeves, put on an apron, and helped Mewtwo wash vegetables.

Splash splash splash—

Only the sound of water remained in the quiet kitchen.

After a while, Mewtwo spoke first.

[Johan.]

"Mm?"

Mewtwo looked at Johan across from it, its originally cold expression unconsciously softening considerably.

[I want... to go out and see the world.]

Hearing this, Johan paused again.

Go out and see the world?

That's right.

When Mewtwo originally came to him, it was also to experience what it felt like to be human. With so much time having passed, it made sense.

It just inexplicably made Johan feel like maybe he had been "exploiting" it too harshly.

Thinking back over a year ago, Mewtwo couldn't even determine its own name or existence and was still seeking psychological counseling...

On second thought—

The current Mewtwo had grown a lot and learned many things. Whether steaming, frying, sautéing, or stir-frying, it was proficient in everything.

"That's good, go out and see the world." Johan nodded with a smile.

His agreement wasn't beyond Mewtwo's expectations.

[Before leaving...]

Under Johan's bewildered gaze, Mewtwo took out a "Dark Ball."

"This is..."

[This is what I chose from your pile of Poké Balls.]

While speaking, Mewtwo pressed the Dark Ball into Johan's hand.

Then, under Johan's increasingly astonished gaze, it gently touched the switch on the Dark Ball.

Hum—

The Dark Ball opened with red light flashing, and Mewtwo disappeared from the kitchen.

Click—

Without any extra commotion, the Dark Ball locked directly.

I... captured Mewtwo?

Johan looked at the Dark Ball in his hand, completely dazed.

"Ka-kaah!!"

At the doorway, Gengar suddenly shouted loudly, startling Johan as he looked toward the sound.

He saw...

Tyranitar, Dragonite, Urshifu, Serperior, Ceruledge, Gengar, Indeedee, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Rotom—all these Pokémon had their heads stacked from top to bottom, filling the doorframe completely.

"Tar!" "Draaa!" "Garruu!" "Sni!" "Goka!" "Ka-kaah!" "Ai!" "Oowoo!" "Cha!" "Roto!"...

On the other side of the doorframe, Cynthia stood with arms crossed, also smiling.

Captured a "new" Pokémon!

Click—

The Dark Ball opened, and Mewtwo appeared with a stern face, pulled up its hood, and continued washing vegetables with its back to everyone.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar suddenly appeared in front of Mewtwo, squinting at the space under the hood.

"Ka-kaah! (σ゜∀゜)σ"

It's blushing!

[You're the one blushing!]

Boom!

The little ones all burst into laughter.

Seeing Mewtwo about to explode, Johan quickly said:

"Alright, alright, today I'll show you all my skills—consider it celebrating that tomorrow is another beautiful day!"

With that, Indeedee, Alcremie, and Rotom immediately came in to help.

Gengar also wanted to enter but was stopped by Johan pointing at the sign on the door reading "Cynthia and Gengar Not Allowed."

"Ka-kah..."

Gengar drooped its ears, sneaking a glance at Johan who wasn't fooled by its pitiful act, then wiggled its little butt and ran off to play in the backyard.

Seeing this, Johan couldn't help but smile wryly.

Thinking back to when he first captured Gengar, it was still a Haunter that liked to secretly suck gas. At that time, Johan's wallet was tight, yet he kept paying gas bills, until later learning that Gastly had been sneaking gas every night...

In the blink of an eye—

That Gastly who called itself "this old man" had now grown to nearly rival legendary Pokémon...

"Time," Johan murmured softly, "truly is a mysterious thing."

Night fell.

Old Jing's family sat around the dining table in the garden, with stars twinkling above and moonlight flowing down like black velvet.

Below, warm orange light flickered with endless laughter.

"Ahem."

Johan cleared his throat and raised his berry juice: "I'll say a few words."

Cynthia, Mewtwo, Gengar, and all the little ones looked toward him.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Johan didn't know what inspiring or touching words to say.

After all, this wasn't some life-and-death separation. Tomorrow's sun would rise as usual, and everyone was destined to be together for a long, long, long time...

So...

"Cheers!"

He took Cynthia's hand and smiled: "To a beautiful tomorrow!"

"Ka-kaah!" Gengar leaped up.

Click—

Rotom timely recorded this day among the many celebratory days—unremarkable, without much commotion, and quite "ordinary."

But in each day that followed, everyone's smiles would be just as brilliant as today.

Cheers to a beautiful tomorrow!

[The End]

TL note:

This has truly been a journey. Honestly, I never thought I'd make it this far. I'm fully aware that the quality of my translations slipped from around chapter 300 through the late 400s, and that's why I didn't push back when the bad reviews started coming in.

Still, I want to thank you for sticking with me all this time. This fanfic has been the main reason I've been able to support myself through Patreon, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. At the time of writing this, I've been translating for 507 days straight, over a year without stopping.

I'm sorry for the dip in quality along the way, but thank you so much for reading and supporting me.

That being said: I'll be releasing my new cyberpunk novel, Cyberpunk: Ragnarök. I'd love for you to give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it.

Sincerely, Michael